Congress leader Motilal Sahu, its secretary Anjay Shukla and hundreds of their supporters on Saturday formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and took its primary membership. Chandan Sarkhel of Gondwana Party, Col. Shamsher Kakkad and others also joined the BJP.
Notably, Motilal Sahu was an aspirant of the Congress ticket from Mahasamund parliamentary constituency whereas Anjay Shukla was an active member of the Congress party for decades. Shukla was also a key office-bearer but was always denied a chance to fight elections.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh welcomed Motilal Sahu and others. He said that the BJP is not only a political party, but a family also. Terming Motilal Sahu and Anjay Shukla as dedicated political workers, Singh said that they were not fearful of the bullets of the Naxalites, but disheartened of the humiliating attitude of the Congress.
The Chief Minister said that the workers of any party could bear the bullet of the enemy but not the negligence and humiliation within a party. They have served the Congress for years and shed their blood and sweat for the party, but in lieu of their dedication, they got humiliation and denial from the party.
The Chief Minister assured all those who have joined the party that they would always get honour and respect in the BJP. Welcoming them, Singh said that a wave of change is taking place in the country and the Congress would suffer historic defeat and it is ensured that the BJP would form the government at the Centre and Narendra Modi would be the Prime Minister.
Raipur MP Ramesh Bais said that during his long political career, he has seen Motilal Sahu working with full dedication on the issues linked with social harmony in Mahsamund. He said that it is a decisive time for the country that a backward class leader Narendra Modi is going to be its Prime Minister. He said that Anjay Shukla is a young and energetic worker. His entry would provide strength to the BJP. Minister Ajay Chandrakar also welcomed Motilal Sahu and Anjay Shukla.
After joining the BJP, Motilal Sahu said there was factionalism and neglect of workers prevailing in the Congress party, and termed the BJP a disciplined party. He said it was a matter of pride for him to join the BJP, as it honours its workers. MlAs Ashok Sharma and Shivratan Sharma, Chandrashekhar Sahu, Bhupendra Savanni, Sachchidanand Upasne, Omkar Bais and other leaders and workers were present at the function.